The Virtual Vicar

There's no school and not enough laptops

Free school meals for children is a hotly talked about topic as the UK heads into the winter months and continues to battle coronavirus. Here's the lowdown on free school meals and what should happen about free meals when the school are closed. About 1.3m children in England will be able to claim free school meal vouchers in the summer holidays, after a campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford. But is that enough? Mark and Pete have the answers.

There is a move afoot to sanitize fairy tales, to remove sexist stereotypes from them. Mark and Pete in this special short episode argue that this is a mistake. This is at the heart of the culture war. It’s often said that fairy stories in their original pre-Disney form are far too brutal for kids. It was said back in 1812 when the Brothers Grimm (whose tales appear in the coloured fairy books, translated into English by Lang’s wife) released their first collection: Kinder und Hausmärchen — children’s and household tales. But to consider fairy tales unsuitable for youngsters is to misunderstand both children and the stories themselves.

Based on bible reading: John 7: 50,51 - "Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”"

The Church of England has invested in musical artists, some of which are very different from what you would expect! In a challenge to the church Mark and Pete argue that investment in business part of the future for the church!

John 5:14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Going to work in the post Covid new normal is different. Will coronavirus have made work clothes obsolete? Unless you were already working from home before the days of social distancing, you’ve probably had to adapt to remote meetings. Technology has enabled many companies to ensure business continuity, and video calling has been a crucial tool for that. What are the ramifications of this crucial shift? Mark and Pete have the answers.

Genesis 17:5 No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations

Pensions are not all they seem. At any rate, the goalposts are moving. Men and women in the UK will have to wait until they are 66 to draw their state pension from Tuesday, after a decade of increases in the qualifying age for the benefit. Ten years ago, women could claim their state pension at 60 while men qualified at 65, but changes in recent years have brought both qualifying ages in line, and phased in increases for both sexes. The phased increase meant that someone born on 5 October 1954 reached state pension age on 6 September this year, while someone born a day later waited another month to qualify.

In these times of a pandemic and lockdowns it is easy to be anxious. What are the reasons behind this? How should Christians respond? Kerri and Pete, Christian Bloggers, look at why this should be in the light of Government messaging and the Coronavirus pandemic. Isolation is not natural for human beings - we are not designed for it. In times of crisis, such as we are experiencing with Covid-19, our instinct is to group together. Yet here we are, millions of us, isolating ourselves even from close family members to prevent the spread of the disease, while at the same time being bombarded with horrifying headlines. So it’s no surprise that many people are feeling anxious and fearful.

Luke 5:31-32 GNB: Jesus answered them, “People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick. I have not come to call respectable people to repent, but outcasts.”

Isaiah 58:6-8: "This, rather, sit the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the you; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. Then light shall break forth like the dawn, and your word shall quickly be healed.

Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God (Joel 2:12-13)

The group that sponsors the presidential debates said Wednesday that it will make format changes to the next two showdowns between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden “to maintain order” in light of their fractious first showdown. What should the next debates look like? Is there a way to get something useful out of them? Mark and Pete have the answers.

I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (The Bible, 1 Timothy 2:1-2)